Protest Against Chinese-Backed Fossil Fuel Projects in Africa Gains Momentum in South Africa

By Dauda Abbas

Over 400 activist environmental and human rights organizations, along with climate justice advocates, convened at Innesfree Park in Sandton, Johannesburg on a unified mission to stage a resolute protest targeting the Chinese delegation and other attendees of the BRICS Summit.

This demonstration, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 had a singular purpose: to call upon China to immediately halt its financing of all new fossil fuel developments and extractive projects in Africa, projects that not only undermine global climate goals but also inflict irreparable harm upon local communities.

The protestors’ focus was particularly on the China-backed East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and its associated oil drilling sites in Uganda and Tanzania.

However, their demands reached beyond EACOP, extending to China’s involvement in various other projects across the African continent, such as the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone in South Africa, the Hwange coal-related projects in Zimbabwe, and the Cabo Delgado gas projects in Mozambique.

These projects, activists argued, were at odds with China’s climate action and cooperation commitments to countries in the global south.

The protest in Johannesburg drew support from a multitude of activists, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community-based organizations (CBOs) spanning several African nations, including Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Kenya.

They lent their voices to the cause on Twitter, using hashtags like #StopEACOP, #EndFossilFuelFinancing, and #BRICSProtest to amplify their message and intensify the call on China to withdraw its involvement from new fossil fuel projects in Africa.

The protest follows China’s signing of a climate declaration with Africa in 2021, where it committed to refraining from initiating new coal projects abroad and pledged increased support for adaptation efforts.

However, activists argued that projects like EACOP directly contradicted these promises. They vowed to escalate pressure until China ceases its financial support for fossil fuel expansion in Africa.

The protesters emphasized the need for China to demonstrate genuine partnership with Africa by making a profound and practical shift toward rapid and widespread development of renewable energy alternatives.

These alternatives, they contended, could promote sustainable job opportunities, broaden energy access, and foster socio-economic and environmental well-being across the continent.

Zaki Mamdoo, Coordinator of the StopEACOP movement, stated, “Projects like EACOP show China’s rhetoric doesn’t match reality. A true friend to Africa would not fund projects that displace communities, unravel livelihoods, and destroy ecosystems. We are demanding a new partnership and development model, one rooted in the principles of justice, equity, transparency, sustainability, and collective benefit. Africans should not have to suffer through another epoch of careless extraction and exploitation. We are here to assert the potential and need for Africa to lead the renewable energy revolution.”

Charity Migwi, Africa Regional Campaigner at 350.org, echoed this sentiment, urging China to redirect financing away from harmful projects and towards a sustainable, climate-compatible energy future built on renewables.

Makoma Lekalakala, Director at Earthlife Africa, emphasized the commitment of BRICS countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and called for the abandonment of all planned fossil fuel projects to achieve targeted carbon neutrality by 2050.

The protest united voices across borders, emphasizing the shared demand for climate justice and an end to projects that primarily benefit elites while adversely impacting ordinary citizens across the continent.

Activists urged China to heed their unified voices and cease its support for projects that contradict its promises of friendship to Africa.

In the words of Bhekumuzi Dean Behebhe from the Don’t Gas Africa Campaign, “Projects such as EACOP continue to trap Africa in a cycle of need, want, and fear. There is an urgent need to stop the project if we believe in human rights, development, and climate justice in Africa.”

The call resounded clear and strong: Africa seeks transformative, people-led processes that address its energy needs while ensuring climate justice, and EACOP must be halted to achieve this vision.